Rams Open Football Season With Steamy Win at Knox Co.

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By David Sharp 

Schuyler County (1-0) employed a big play offense, rolling up 306 yards passing and six touchdowns from Conner Smith in a 54- 26 win at Knox County. Mayson Humphrey hauled in nine passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns. 

Elliott Sevits rushed for one touchdown and caught a pass from Connor Smith for another. The contest was played near the end of a weeklong heat wave. Most season opening high school football games were moved back an hour for an 8PM start. 

The Rams scored on their first two possessions. Kale Windy caught a 35 yard pass from Connor Smith with 8:35 in the first quarter. Elliott Sevits caught a two point pass for an 8-0 lead. 

Knox County was stopped on downs in their first offensive possession. Robert Dooley rolled 39 yards for an Eagle touchdown with 7:41 remaining in the first quarter. The two point run failed, leaving the score at 8-6 Rams. 

Elliott Sevits took a 53 yard pass to the house for a 14-6 lead at the 7:23 mark of the first period. Both teams had good run after the catch production. Knox County answered with a 65 yard scoring drive. 

Collin Hayes capped the march with a one yard dive for a 14-12 Schuyler County lead with 1:16 showing on the first quarter clock. The two point pass failed. The score stood at 14-12 Rams after one period of play. 

Connor Smith was accurate with his aerials all night. Robert Dooley fell on a fumble, stalling the subsequent Schuyler County drive. The Eagles marched to the Schuyler County 18 yard line but were stopped on downs. Elliott Sevits capped a 62 yard drive with an 18 yard run for a 20-12 lead with 6:09 to play in the first half. 

Both defenses exchanged stops. Robert Dooley gave the Eagle defense an opportunity to keep the game close with a 37 yard punt near the end of the half. 

Kale Windy caught a pinpoint pass from Connor Smith on the end line for a 25 yard touchdown and a touchdown with 7.5 seconds to play in the first half. The two point pass made the score 28- 12 Rams at the half. 

Schuyler County played a strong second half. Mayson Humphrey caught two touchdown passes from Connor Smith, pushing the edge to 40-12 with 42 seconds remaining in the third quarter. 

Knox County played hard to the end. Robert Dooley pulled down a 13 yard pass from Collin Hayes for a touchdown and a 40-20 tally with 9:13 remaining in the contest. Kale Windy eluded the KCHS defense for a 31 yard scoring dash and a 48- 20 Ram lead with 6:40 to play in the game. 

The Eagles battled back with a 23 yard scoring strike from Collin Hayes to Reice Miler at the 5:39 mark of the fourth quarter. The two point conversion failed, leaving Schuyler County up48-26. Kale Windy capped the scoring with a nice 55 yard run after the catch touchdown reception. with 5:28 remaining in the game. Both coaches finished the contest with young players for the 54-26 Schuyler County win. 

“I was proud of the effort,” Schuyler County coach Corey Randall said. Schuyler County blocked well along the lines. “We lost Hayden Dixon last year. The guys put the work in. I told the guys they were the heart and soul of our team.” 

“We have the athletes, but if we don’t have the blocking you aren’t going to make those plays,” Corey Randall said. “I thought they gave Connor Smith time. Connor is elusive on his own, but I still want to give him time. It makes us better as a team. When you can run the ball and pass the ball, it’s tough.” 

Both sides did a good job of standing up to the oppressive weather conditions. “Coach (Bruce) Vannoy are good buddies. We have the same philosophy. We don’t give up no matter what.’ 

“You get up and keep battling. That’s what we do. I am used to Connor Smith having great games. Our seniors have played since they were freshman. Connor (Smith) is a three year starter. He made some plays out there. Most people wouldn’t even know they were broken plays.” 

“The guys like to play football. They are here and having fun. That’s what I want them to do.” 

Knox County rushed 36 times for 192 yards. Robert Dooley led the Eagles with 12 carries for 87 yards. Robert Dooley had a rushing and a passing touchdown. Collin Hayes gained 80 yards on 16 unofficial attempts. Collin Hayes had unofficial totals of 11-19 for 131 yards and two touchdown passes. 

Collin Hayes rushed for another touchdown. Robert Dooley had six pass receptions for 67 yards. 

Knox County had four penalties for 40 yards. Schuyler County was flagged nine times for 75 yards. 

“I am not going to question their effort,” Knox County coach Bruce Vannoy said. “They played their hearts out. They were gassed. It’s just a hot night. It’s hard to get in football shape. You can’t’ get that look in practice.” 

“Until you put on pads and start leaning on someone that is a junior or senior too, you don’t get in shape. We made a lot of mental mistakes. We were prepared for what they do.” 

“We eliminated a lot of the deep plays, but they tore us apart on the short game. I’m not sure we could have won this game, but we could have taken it into the fourth quarter If we could have eliminated those mistakes.” 

Knox County hosts Plattsburgh on Saturday, September 2 with a Noon kickoff for their next game. Defending 8-Man football state runner up St. Joseph Bishop LeBlond travels to Schuyler County for the next Ram game at 4PM on Saturday, September 2.